Jones agreed with the sentiment. "Everybody is always competing in this league," he said. “There is nobody guaranteed anything. That includes Weeden and everybody. ... My goal is to always -- if we can - bring in another player and if makes more sense, we have to look at it."

Weeden, 31, is entering the final year of his contract. Last season, he passed for 303 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while filling in for Romo when he was sidelined with two transverse process fractures. Dustin Vaughan, an undrafted free agent in 2014, was also active for one game last season.

"You're always trying to upgrade your football team," Garrett said. "Obviously, we feel really good about Tony. He had an outstanding year for us last year. Brandon did a really nice job in his opportunities. If you look at what he did -- he played in (four) games, (three) he came in relief for us and the one game he started we didn't play our best game on offense. But it was against a really good defensive team in Arizona. We still feel like he's a young player who needs to play more. He's really growing before our eyes.

"We like what Dustin Vaughn did in the preseason. He is a smart kid. He is really conscientious. He wants to be a good football player and works very hard at it. He's one of those guys, too, a young player and you can see him get better with every rep that he gets. He is going about it the right way. We think he's got a future."

Cowboys backup quarterback Brandon Weeden received a vote of confidence from coach Jason Garrett, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Weeden appeared in five games with the club last year, tossing three touchdowns against two interceptions. He completed 58.5 percent of his passes and threw for 303 yards. Despite the less than stellar performance, Weeden received a vote of confidence from Garrett.

"Brandon did a really nice job in his opportunities," Garrett said. "If you look at what he did - he played in three games, two he came in relief for us and the one game he started we didn't play our best game on offense. But it was against a really good defensive team in Arizona." He added, "we still feel like he's a young player who needs to play more. He's really growing before our eyes."

Weeden, 31, isn't necessarily a young prospect, but didn't begin playing in the NFL until he was 28.

The Cowboys have listed 11 players on its final injury report for Sunday's game against Indianapolis. Defensive tackle Josh Brent (calf, personal) and outside linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring) were ruled out for the game. Tackle Doug Free (ankle) is doubtful, and guard Zack Martin (ankle) and running back DeMarco Murray (hand) are questionable.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romoreturned to practice Thursday for the first time since suffering two small fractures in his back Oct. 27 against Washington. While Romo was throwing passing in individual drills, backup quarterback Brandon Weeden was still taking more reps, according to The Dallas Morning News.

"It’s sore,’" Romo said of his back following practice. “"It loosened up a little bit as we moved through it I think. Then, it just gets sore. The normal stuff."

While Romo stopped short of saying he will play Week 10, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reiterated Thursday he still feels Romo will start Sunday's game in London against the Jaguars.

"I’m anticipating him playing," Jones said. "I have no reason to think that he won’t. Anytime he can play, we want him to play. We’re a better team, to be trite, with him playing. There’s no such thing as holding him out and foregoing the potential chance that we win."

Jones didn't stop Thursday talking about Romo's status for Week 10. He went on to talk about how much longer he feels Romo can play in the NFL, despite Romo's back problems, and what Romo has in store for when his playing days are over.

"I think Tony Romo has at least five years," Jones said. "I’m planning on him at least five years of playing at a level that would allow us to be a possible contender.

"He has aspirations and stated to me of potentially being an offensive coordinator in the NFL when he grows up. He has great ideas and very sound ideas."